Our team shares 10 key graphic design trends for 2025

As we step into 2025, the world of graphic design is evolving faster than ever, with fresh trends shaping brand identities, websites, and marketing materials. While clean lines and playful aesthetics were the spotlights of this year, 2025 is set to bring a more dynamic approach to design.

Motion-infused minimalism is taking center stage. Brands are leaning into subtle, animated elements in their websites, social media graphics, and product designs. These micro-movements catch the eye and create a sense of fluidity that engages audiences.

Another bold shift is the rise of biomorphic design. Think organic shapes, fluid curves, and nature-inspired elements. This trend embraces free-form designs that feel more human and inviting. Paired with softer, nature-inspired color palettes, it shows us the growing consumer preference for brands that feel authentic, natural, and approachable.

AI-enhanced customization is another game-changer for 2025. While AI-driven tools have been around for a while, this year is about using AI to create more hyper-personalized design experiences.

As we anticipate 2025, these trends hint at an exciting future for graphic design, where aesthetic appeal meets deeper key elements like audience engagement.

Graphic design trends vs design trends

Graphic design trends specifically focus on visual elements in branding, advertising, and digital media. They encompass typography, color palettes, illustration styles, and layout techniques.

Conversely, design trends can be broader, encompassing visual aspects and functional and experiential elements in various fields like interior design, fashion, product design, and architecture.

For example, consider the trend of minimalism. In graphic design, minimalism might manifest as clean, uncluttered layouts with ample white space, simple color schemes, and sans-serif typography.

This style aims to convey messages clearly and elegantly, often seen in brand identities and web design. In contrast, minimalism in interior design focuses on sparse furnishings, functional spaces, and a monochromatic color palette, prioritizing functionality and simplicity in living environments.

This distinction highlights how a single trend can be interpreted and applied differently across various design disciplines. While graphic design trends directly influence how brands and messages are visually communicated, broader design trends impact our lifestyle, environment, and overall experience with products and spaces.

What are the graphic design trends for 2025?

Here's our master list for 2025 graphic design trends:

• Incorporating Mocha Mousse (Pantone's Color of the Year 2025)
• AI assistance 
• Sustainable design 
• Bold minimalism
• Illustration and animation
• Conceptual & Abstract Design
• Monochrome and duochrome design
• Use of video content
• Tactile design 
• Natural inspiration

1. Incorporating Mocha Mousse (Pantone's color of the year 2025)

Source: Pinterest

Mocha Mousse, named Pantone's Color of the Year 2025, is at the heart of 2025's design trends as a shade that represents warmth and timeless elegance. This smooth, chocolatey brown brings a sensory experience that evokes comfort, indulgence, and the grounding essence of nature.

Peach Fuzz charmed us in 2024 with its softness and subtle vibrancy. But as we step into 2025, Mocha Mousse takes us on a deeper, more sophisticated journey. It's a shift from airy pastels to earthy tones.

As our design lead eloquently put it:

This color is already making its mark on digital experiences, product packaging, and branding. Here’s how brands are incorporating Mocha Mousse:

Beauty and Personal Care

Source: Pinterest

From creamy foundations to rich, chocolate-toned lipsticks, the influence of Mocha Mousse is clear in the beauty industry. This earthy tone flatters every skin type, offering a natural, effortless glow. Beauty brands are incorporating this hue into packaging as well, to signify warmth, natural ingredients, and a "back-to-basics" approach.

We've seen Fenty Beauty introduce lipsticks and eyeshadows in Mocha Mousse shades, while OPI has launched the Nail Lacquer in “Espresso Your Inner Self” to best represent the color.

Fashion with Depth

Source: InStyle

The world of fashion is embracing Mocha Mousse as a neutral staple for all seasons. It’s a color that conveys quiet luxury and effortless style. Popular brands like Gucci and Fendi have already included this color in their latest collections, showing how it fits perfectly with today’s love for comfortable and natural looks. 

Home Decor and Tech with a Mocha Twist

Source: Joybird

Interior design leans into grounding, earthy tones, and Mocha Mousse is at the center of it. Imagine rich-toned furniture, accent walls, and soft, plush rugs in this inviting shade. 

Brands like Joybird are incorporating this shade into furniture pieces, while home decor items like rugs, curtains, and accent walls, are also embracing this earthy tone.

In tech, gadgets like phone cases, smart speakers, and desktop accessories are swapping out cool metallics for this soothing, homey shade. The result? Spaces that feel calm, thoughtful, and connected to nature. Also, expect to see 3D elements like smart speakers and sticker illustrations embracing this hue. 

As you work with Mocha Mousse, think about the emotional undertones it carries. This color invites consumers to slow down, take a breath, and feel more connected — to themselves, to nature, and to each other.

2. AI assistance

Source: Rawpixel

The trend of AI assistance in design is an evolving and crucial aspect of the industry, especially in 2025.

However, the reception of AI in design is mixed. While some designers see AI as a valuable ally in the creative process, others express concerns about its limitations and potential negative impacts. 

For instance, Mélanie Hubert-Crozet, Creative Director at Monopo London, views AI as a new tool for creativity, offering designers more time to focus on thinking and exploring concepts rather than just making​​.

On the other hand, some designers feel that AI still lacks in areas like emotional design intelligence, a critical component of human-centered design​​. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for AI to make certain design activities and jobs less labor-intensive, impacting employment in the industry.

Regarding AI's capabilities, diffusion models powered by tools like DALL-E 3 have outcompeted older models like GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) in terms of accuracy. These models can generate original images from prompts, highlighting the importance of specific and concrete prompting for better outputs​​.

Image generated with DALL-E

AI is effective in tasks like sketching, basic logos, web design, palette brainstorming, image enlargement or enhancement, and product shots. However, it still falls short in packaging, visual identity, motion design, environmental design, and high-definition original art​​.

We love the potential of AI to revolutionize the design process. AI's capability to handle repetitive and mundane tasks can free up designers to engage in more meaningful, creative work. Linearity Curve’s AI-powered tools, like Auto Trace and Background Removal, enhance efficiency and creativity.

In 2025, AI-generated design is expected to continue pushing its limits by taking care of repetitive tasks like background removal, content enhancement, and even 3D design.

It's important to view AI as a powerful tool that complements human creativity, not replaces it. While AI can generate content, human creators can actually lead the creative direction.

3. Sustainable design

Source: Pinterest

Sustainable design is reshaping how companies approach branding and product development. Forward-thinking companies worldwide are adopting this eco-conscious approach, integrating sustainability into their branding designs.

Major corporations like Apple and Adidas have committed to sustainable product design and branding practices. Apple's focus on using recycled materials and renewable energy sources and Adidas's sustainable footwear lines showcase this commitment.

Sustainable design is inspired by a growing recognition of environmental issues and a collective responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint.

Brands like Patagonia have long championed sustainability, proving that eco-friendly practices can be profitable and resonate with consumers.

Examples of sustainable design in graphic design

• Eco-friendly packaging: Using recycled or biodegradable materials for packaging.
• Minimalist design: Reducing intricate details to save resources while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
• Digital-first approaches: Reducing print materials and focusing on digital branding to minimize waste.
• Sustainable typography: Fonts that require less ink for printing.

According to sustainability expert Tyson, the key to creating sustainable products lies in considering every aspect of their lifecycle, from manufacturing to consumer use, including hardware, packaging, and disposal.

Embrace sustainability in your design practices. Whether selecting eco-friendly materials, optimizing digital designs, or innovating with sustainable methods, every step counts. By adopting sustainable design, you're making a statement and contributing to a healthier planet.

4. Bold minimalism

Bold minimalism focuses on essential features without compromising on visual impact. It's a response to our overly complex and visually cluttered world, offering a breath of fresh, uncluttered air. This design aesthetic strips away excess while adding bold typography and bold fonts to make a statement.

Image source: Pentagram

Companies are keenly adopting this trend in their product designs and branding strategies. The approach is to strip down to the essentials but make those essentials stand out. This can be seen in product design, packaging, and digital interfaces like websites and apps.

As we forge ahead, the principles of bold minimalism are expected to influence design choices more profoundly, especially in our increasingly digital world.

Bold minimalism has been embraced by various companies across different industries, creating a strong visual impact with their simple yet striking designs.

Source: Pinterest

• Mastercard: One of the most iconic examples is Mastercard. Their logo, featuring simple red and orange circles, is a staple of minimalist design, signifying connectedness and seamlessness. This logo has become so recognizable that it can be used without any text and still convey the brand identity effectively​. 
• Helix Sleep: Another example is Helix Sleep. Their referral cards, designed by Stefanie Brückler, utilize contrasting colors and clean font, achieving a sleek and functional design while maintaining a unique visual identity​​.
• Pixite: Designed by Peter Komierowski, Pixite's nature-inspired shapes for their app Fragment showcase a fun, aesthetically pleasing design with simple, cohesive lines forming various shapes, playfully embodying minimalism.

For those in the design world, it's crucial to reassess current designs and brand strategies. Think about how you can simplify while making a focused and more potent impact. Remember, bold minimalism is not just a style; it's a statement!

5. Illustration and animation

Our team members highlight this trend. Pyae Phyo Hlaing, a Junior Marketing Designer at Linearity, notes an uptick in mixed media, including analog art forms like collage and animated typography. Maie Escorial, our Senior Product Designer, emphasizes the rise of vibrant colors and the increasing prevalence of illustration and animation.

Brands are using illustrations on websites, social media graphics, and even book cover design to add a creative, playful aspect to their brand voice.

Artists are merging analog sketches with digital enhancements, creating a unique blend that retains the authenticity of traditional media while embracing digital versatility.

For example, Simon Prades' work showcases this trend, where tactile textures of analog art coexist with digital precision​.

Image source: Simon Prades

Dropbox and The Outline are real-world examples of companies embracing these trends in digital design. Dropbox's rebranding with bold and contrasting colors and a simplified logo reflects a minimalist yet vibrant approach. The Outline's website design uses bright typography and accents on a black-and-white scheme, embodying colorful minimalism​​.

These trends demonstrate a move towards more interactive, engaging, and visually complex forms of digital design. It’s a blend of tradition and innovation to create unique and memorable visual experiences.

Animation and illustration trends are influenced by several factors, such as the rise of social media platforms, advancements in technology, and the growing need for interactive and immersive user experiences. These developments make animation essential for storytelling, branding, and marketing.

Bring motion in-house

Animate marketing assets in seconds with Linearity Move.

Get Started

6. Conceptual and abstract design

Source: Pinterest

Conceptual and abstract design is taking center stage in 2025, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. This trend focuses on ambiguity, inviting audiences to interpret designs in personal and unique ways. Think of surreal shapes, undefined forms, and visuals that leave room for imagination. Using organic lines and subtle touches, designers create thought-provoking experiences.

It’s less about what something is and more about what it could be.

In 2024, the focus was on Retrofuturism, which was all about nostalgia and futuristic elements. Conceptual and abstract design takes things further, challenging traditional form and structure. Designers are prioritizing emotional reactions over immediate recognition, encouraging viewers to think, feel, and connect.

Examples of conceptual and abstract design

• Branding and Identity: Brands are using abstract shapes and conceptual designs for logos and branding elements. Figma and Mailchimp have already embraced playful, conceptual rebrands that rely on imaginative shapes rather than literal symbols. This technique makes logos and branding materials more adaptable for diverse platforms, from social media to packaging.
• Advertising and Campaigns: Abstract and conceptual visual storytelling is becoming more common in ad campaigns. Take, for instance, the use of shapes that hint at larger ideas. Rather than showing a product outright, companies hint at an idea or a feeling. This approach draws in audiences, inspiring engagement. 
• Packaging Design and Digital Media:For packaging, conceptual design has become a playground for imagination. Beauty brands opt for minimalist bottles with abstract patterns, hinting at “natural ingredients” and “clean beauty” without saying it outright. In digital media, websites use abstract hover states, background animations, and playful transitions to keep users engaged.

For example, LaCroix’s colorful can design uses bold splashes of color and a jazzy font to stand out. Though initially debated, this unique, abstract look quickly became a favorite among consumers and helped LaCroix become a leading brand.

Source: Pinterest

As you delve into the world of conceptual design, consider how Linearity Curve's features can aid in bringing these elements to life in your designs.

7. Monochrome and duochrome design

Source: Pinterest

Monochrome design utilizes various shades of a single color and can effectively convey a range of emotions and atmospheres, from serenity to intensity. This trend in design highlights the beauty of limited palettes. It’s increasingly prominent in the design landscape, and it reflects a shift towards simplicity and elegance in visual aesthetics.

For example, photography uses monochrome effects to create a contemporary twist on classic elegance. Techniques such as adjusting exposure and contrast, fine-tuning tones and highlights, and enhancing texture and detail are crucial to making monochrome photos stand out.

As the design world continues to evolve, monochrome and duochrome designs will likely remain popular for their ability to create powerful visual statements with minimalistic design. Their versatility and timeless appeal make them suitable for a wide range of applications, from photography and interior design to branding and digital media.

For designers exploring this trend, Linearity Curve is a valuable tool. With upcoming features like AI-enhanced color manipulation and design templating, it’ll be instrumental in creating effective monochrome and duochrome designs.

Examples of monochrome and duochrome:  

• Calendly: Known for its scheduling software, Calendly's website is an example of a modern corporate site that uses white as its primary color, accented with touches of blue, the main color in its branding.
• Kiramoon: A beauty company, Kiramoon's website employs a red-pink color scheme that reflects the vibrant colors of its products, creating a cohesive and meticulously planned experience. They cleverly use different levels of color saturation to differentiate page regions and elements​​.
• The Clove Club: This restaurant's website uses two colors — blue and white — to create a minimal and focused design. The background animation adds visual texture while maintaining the duochromatic theme​​.
• Olfaction: Specializing in scented candles and oils, Olfaction's website uses a shade of merino white for its background, interspersed with product photos, creating a soothing and easy-on-the-eyes experience​​.
• Jo Malone: It's a great brand example that uses monochrome in its packaging and digital presence. It employs black and white as its signature palette to reflect luxury and timelessness. Its website and packaging both embrace simplicity and sophistication, proving that luxury can be elegant in its simplicity.

The key to leveraging these design trends effectively lies in understanding the emotional impact of color and using it to create compositions that resonate with your audience.

Whether you're working in photography, interior design, or digital media, the monochrome and duochrome trends offer a world of creative possibilities to explore.

8. Use of video content 

Source: Pinterest

Video content isn't just a trend in design anymore — it's the main event. 

Incorporating insights from Nastassia Rybak, Templates Team Lead at Linearity, the upcoming year in design is poised to be shaped by three major trends: the continued dominance of video content, a growing emphasis on mixed media, and an increased need for collaboration among individuals and teams.

Speaking specifically to the increased use of video content, several key video content trends are set to redefine the landscape in 2025.

1. Short-form videos: The popularity of platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts has catapulted short-form videos into the spotlight — not to mention the recent addition of short-form videos to LinkedIn. These quick, engaging videos cater to viewers' short attention spans and have a high potential for driving brand engagement and purchases.
2. AI-generated video content: AI is set to revolutionize video production by automating and streamlining processes from scriptwriting to editing. Tools like ChatGPT and Adobe's generative AI enable the creation of fully animated videos with minimal human effort, making video production more efficient and cost-effective.
3. Influencer explainer videos: Influencers create in-depth, detailed explainer videos akin to online courses and tutorials. This approach offers a more authentic and focused way to educate audiences about products and features.
4. Seamless loop and behind-the-scenes videos: Seamless looping videos have gained popularity for their mesmerizing, replayable nature. Behind-the-scenes videos also continue to be an effective way of building brand trust and transparency, though they now require a more creative and engaging approach.
5. Interactive video content: Interactive video, allowing viewers to engage directly with the content, is growing in popularity. This form of video content is becoming a best practice, especially for organizations like nonprofits, educational institutions, and healthcare providers.

Nastassia also shares her attitude towards these trends:

These trends indicate a shift towards more dynamic, interactive, and personalized video content, offering brands novel ways to connect with audiences and narrate their stories.

The emphasis on video content in the upcoming years underscores the need for designers and companies to adapt and innovate. Leveraging the powerful combo of Linearity Curve and Linearity Move to create assets with animated content will be crucial for producing fresh, on-trend designs​​​​​​.

Design with Linearity Curve and animate with Linearity Move

Get our software

9. Tactile design

Source: Pinterest

Tactile design is emerging as a key trend in the design world, particularly as we move into 2025. The need for "touchable" digital designs is growing. Think of sticker illustrations and UI elements that look like you can feel them. This design style bridges the gap between physical and digital.

It responds to our digital-centric lives with a growing desire for physical and sensory experiences. Designers are increasingly seeking to create visually perfect designs that invite touch and interactio

Examples of tactile design:

• Neptune by Adela Hatic: A speaker designed to make listening to music a physical experience as well as an emotional one, using foam to create deep vibrations from the bass​​.
• Rubber Rest by Isabella Bergstrøm: This handmade hammock, made from a rubber-braided body, is unique for its elasticity and tactility. It's designed to adjust to the user's body shape and weight, offering a comfortable and relaxing experience​​.

This trend is part of a broader move towards Maximalism in 2024, which embraced bold colors, patterns, and textures to create visually stimulating and personalized spaces. This approach encourages mixing and matching different patterns, textures, and colors to create unique spaces​​.

As you explore tactile design, consider how different textures and materials can be integrated into your projects. Think about how these elements can enhance the user's experience visually and through touch.

Experiment with different materials, textures, and forms to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also invite interaction and engagement.

10. Natural inspiration

This trend reflects a growing affinity for nature-infused aesthetics. Natural inspiration embraces organic lines, geometric shapes, textures, and vibrant yet serene color schemes that aim to create visually captivating and soothing spaces.

Nature-inspired design elements include:

• Organic shapes and textures: Curved lines, rounded furniture, and natural materials like rattan and jute are key. These elements bring a tactile and earthy feel, adding a sense of playfulness and visual interest.
• Vibrant hues and serene neutrals: Natural color palettes mix jewel tones like emerald greens and royal blues with soft pastels, creating a dynamic yet tranquil ambiance. Nature-inspired greens connect interior and digital spaces with the outdoors, promoting harmony and rejuvenation.
• Biophilic patterns: Biomorphic patterns inspired by natural elements add depth and visual interest to surfaces, emphasizing the connection with the natural world.

This visual trend aligns with the broader movement towards sustainability and eco-consciousness in design discussed earlier. It reflects a deeper appreciation for our natural surroundings and a desire to bring these elements into our living spaces. Integrating these trends into your designs fosters a sense of comfort and well-being, resonating with the modern lifestyle​​.

To follow this trend, companies can:

• Introduce nature-inspired elements into product design and branding.
• Use abstract shapes, textures, and biophilic patterns in their marketing materials.
• Embrace sustainable practices and materials that reflect a commitment to the environment.

This popular trend offers a way to create designs that aren’t only aesthetically pleasing but also resonate with the growing consumer preference for sustainability and connection with nature.

Wrapped: 2024 graphic design trends

The graphic design world is buzzing with exciting trends that promise to redefine our visual experiences.

These trends aren’t only aesthetic shifts. They're about making powerful statements and connecting with audiences on deeper levels. As a designer, it's your playground to explore, innovate, and express.

Ready to try your hand with these trends? Linearity Curve is your perfect companion. Its user-friendly interface and powerful tools make it the ideal platform to bring design trends to life.

Whether it's bold minimalism or tactile transparency, Linearity Curve will help you take your designs to the next level. Start creating with Linearity Curve and shape the future of design.